Sep 25, 2018
Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops: Beet Armyworm
*This is an excerpt from Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241
Identification
Plump green caterpillars up to 30 mm long with three longitudinal stripes on dorsal surface; pair of black spots on the second body segment behind the head.
Plant Injury
Damaging to young leaves in the fall season; rapid defoliator if uncontrolled in open field and high tunnel crops
Sampling Method & Economic Threshold
- Use pheromone-baited sticky traps for monitoring pest pressure/activity.
- Look for egg masses under the leaf (covered with white fuzzy scales).
- ET = 3% infested plants from a random sample with live caterpillars or egg masses.
ET = Economic Threshold (number of insects above which there will be economic losses)
Related Topics
*This is an excerpt from Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241
Identification
Adult beetles are 5 mm long and dark brown with a yellow wing margin; eggs are bright orange, oval shaped, and laid in masses; caterpillars are dark brown with black head; body is covered with stout hair.
Plant Injury
Adult beetles and caterpillars cause extensive leaf feeding and crop damage occurs rapidly; also feed on exposed tubers of turnips and radishes.
Sampling Method & Economic Threshold
- Early detection and management will prevent rapid colonization of this pest.
- Look for adult beetles that migrate into the field during late September or early October. Early morning or late evening when beetles are most active is the best time to scout.
- Highly attracted to turnips and napa cabbage compared to other crucifers.
- Turnips should be scouted at least weekly to detect rapidly growing populations (turnip and napa cabbage can be used as a trap crop).
Read here to learn more about Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops.
Download a PDF of Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241.
*This is an excerpt from Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241
Identification
Brightly colored bugs with piercing-sucking mouthparts (orange, red, and yellow patterns on adults); eggs are barrel-shaped with black bands on top; overwinter as adults.
Plant Injury
Nymphs and adults feed on leaf veins causing extensive browning or wilting of leaves; extensive feeding will cause plants to wilt and die.
Sampling Method & Economic Threshold
- Look for colorful adults or masses of nymphs feeding together.
- ET (Georgia) = 1 adult bug per 10 plants.
ET = Economic Threshold (number of insects above which there will be economic losses)
Read here to learn more about Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops.
Download a PDF of Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241
*This is an excerpt from Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241
Identification
Small insects that jump readily using muscles in their hind legs; hind legs appear swollen.
Plant Injury
Common in spring on seedlings; shot-hole feeding symptoms on small leaves.
Sampling Method & Economic Threshold
- Use a good quality magnifying lens when scouting seedling.
- Shot-hole leaf injury is distinctive.
- Scout on field edges that usually get the worst damage from flea beetles.
- No economic thresholds are available.
- Young plants are susceptible to flea beetle damage.
Read here to learn more about Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops.
Download a PDF of Insect Pest Scouting for Crucifer Crops, ANR-2241.
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